Profese online 2021, 14(2):14-21 | DOI: 10.5507/pol.2021.016
Background: Vaccination against pertussis in the Czech Republic (CR) was started at the end of 1958. Vaccination was maintained at a very good level for a long time and only a few cases per year were reported. Nevertheless, in the CR, pertussis has been on the rise (re-emerging disease) since the 1990s, similarly to other countries.
Aim: To get acquainted with the current epidemiological situation and possible factors that affect it.
Methods: An overview summarizing published studies and articles on the issue.
Results: Pertussis is on the rise in countries where acellular vaccine is being vaccinated, but also where whole cell vaccine is used. A change in the age distribution of the disease is observed with a shift to the group of adolescents and adults. Pertussis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infant. Acellular vaccines are considered safe, but there is growing evidence that acellular vaccines are not able to adequately control pertussis.
Conclusions: Pertussis can be prevented by vaccination. Despite the high vaccination coverage, pertussis is considered a re-emerging disease. It is necessary to improve all parts of surveillance, including early and correct diagnosis. It is important to put in place measures to reduce the transmission of pertussis to infant. Due to the increase in pertussis in the CR, it is necessary to maintain the highest possible vaccination coverage, especially in the population at increased risk of the disease.
Received: November 2021; Revised: November 2021; Accepted: November 2021; Published: December 2021 Show citation
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